I'm worried about this younger generation of music fan. They have no idea who the icons and innovators are. I was reading some of the comments on youtube re; the Jay Z commercial and most people have no idea who Rick Rubin is. They are like "who's the hobo on the couch" and "is that jesus?" That's the man that co-founded Def Jam with Russell Simmons. Yes, the crazy looking white dude with the long beard is NOT from ZZ Top, but rather, he co-founded one of the biggest hip hop labels in history.

I don't see a story in those lyrics, just another rapper in love with himself.

If you want a story or meaningful lyrics, I recommend The Roots.

yes, like their hit "Essaywhuman!!!!" which is totally not about nothing at all.

every rapper/rap group has its meaningful songs (JayZ has Moment of Clarity and My First Song and December 4th, among others, The Roots has that song they did with Erykah Badu, among others) and every one has its stupid, mindless boasting songs (JayZ has "Thank You," The Roots has "Essaywhuman!!!!").

6 in one, half dozen in the other.

Eminem would have 6 songs on his album that were deeply personal stories from his life, 6 songs that were retarded songs about himself being awesome, then 4 skits starring Ken Kaniff from Connecticut.

even your favourite rapper's favourite rapper (usually Tech N9ne) has songs about his d--- and songs about the meaning of life and songs about his daughters and songs about f---ing a waitress.

don't be a bonehead. if "his lyrics are meaningless" is the reason you don't like JayZ, you just haven't listened to enough JayZ. meaning is there, just not in every song. ditto every single rapper of all time. Even Sistah Soldja does battle tracks. Even Immortal Technique does battle tracks. Even 2Pac does "Hit 'Em Up" a song exclusively about how Bad Boy sucks and how he f---ed Biggie's wife. And then he did "Dear Mama" and "Keep Ya Head Up".

to that point: this is a man people have called "Rap's prophet" and someone who has inspired such a legend that people think he's still alive, like a Black Elvis. He's widely considered to be one of mainstream rap's most "meaningful" writers. but if you cherry pick just one song...

I'm still not convinced. Kanye has tracks with meaningful lyrics as well, but most of his songs are about how great he is or how the world's out to get him or his nasty views on women. My view is that each artist has a certain image. Kanye and Jay-Z may have tracks with meaningful lyrics, but for the most part their music is just lyrical masturbation. The Roots will have battle songs, but most of their tracks are about what they went through growing up in Philadelphia and introspection.
That they wrote a stupid song back when they started in their 20s doesn't bother me. But a 43-year-old man still going on like that just makes me roll my eyes.

I'm still not convinced. Kanye has tracks with meaningful lyrics as well, but most of his songs are about how great he is or how the world's out to get him or his nasty views on women. My view is that each artist has a certain image. Kanye and Jay-Z may have tracks with meaningful lyrics, but for the most part their music is just lyrical masturbation. The Roots will have battle songs, but most of their tracks are about what they went through growing up in Philadelphia and introspection.
That they wrote a stupid song back when they started in their 20s doesn't bother me. But a 43-year-old man still going on like that just makes me roll my eyes.

The only song's that I actually like from Kayne are "Thru the wire" off his debut album, and "N*ggas in Paris" from Watch the Throne. Aside from that I think he doesn't add anything to hip hop besides being a giant douchebag.

The only song's that I actually like from Kayne are "Thru the wire" off his debut album, and "N*ggas in Paris" from Watch the Throne. Aside from that I think he doesn't add anything to hip hop besides being a giant douchebag.

I'm still not convinced. Kanye has tracks with meaningful lyrics as well, but most of his songs are about how great he is or how the world's out to get him or his nasty views on women. My view is that each artist has a certain image. Kanye and Jay-Z may have tracks with meaningful lyrics, but for the most part their music is just lyrical masturbation. The Roots will have battle songs, but most of their tracks are about what they went through growing up in Philadelphia and introspection.
That they wrote a stupid song back when they started in their 20s doesn't bother me. But a 43-year-old man still going on like that just makes me roll my eyes.

now in their 40's, the roots mainly goofs off on the jimmy fallon show.